Towards new approaches in missiological encounters with Muslims in Northern Nigeria

Abstract

This study has as purpose to verify the best possible strategies that can be used both in encounter and evangelization of Muslims in order to avoid persecution of Christians and destruction of their property in Africa, especially in Northern Nigeria. This Twenty first Century has witnessed numerous violent attacks against Christians which resulted in vandalization and looting of their property. Many lives of Christian men and women have been sacrificed amidst the violence. As a result, some Christians decided to flee the affected areas, abandoning in the process mission work to Muslims in order to safeguard their lives. This study proposes as research method the use of the pastoral cycle to arrive at these methods. From the study, it was discovered that several factors were responsible for the Islamic attacks against Christians in Northern Nigeria. Many negative effects had been noted as a result, mostly serious negative emotional scars left in the heart of the Christians believers and missionaries living and working in Northern Nigeria. Based on the findings of this study, new approaches towards coexistence and especially for the evangelisation of the Muslims in Northern Nigeria, especially in view of reduced bloody encounters.